The efficiency of pulsed electromagnetic field in refractory migraine headaches: a randomized, single-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel group

Authors

  • Boshra Hatef Neuroscience Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2638-3463
  • Fahime Hashemirad Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  • Gholam Hossein Meftahi Neuroscience Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Leila Simorgh Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
  • Soodeh Razeghi Jahromi Department of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Forough Rahimi School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  • Mansoureh Togha Department of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3259.ijct20160475

Keywords:

Refractory migraine, Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy, Randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Background: The study attempts to investigate the effect of PEMF therapy on Refractory Migraines (RM), both those which were related and those which were not related to menstrual cycle, in a randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled study.

Methods: The study attempts to investigate the effect of PEMF therapy on Refractory Migraines (RM), both those which were related and those which were not related to menstrual cycle, in a randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled study.

Results: There was a significant improvement for the active group in terms of their headache days, durations and work-loss hours due to headache compared to the placebo group after 2 weeks. The added results of the assessment of the active group indicated a significant improvement in the days and duration of headaches, work-loss hours and number of medications even after a following 4-8-month period. Headache intensity and the amount of medication used for headache were reduced only in RM patients that had headaches which were not related to their menstrual cycles.

Conclusions: PEMF (10 Hz, 4-5mT) can be considered as a beneficial and persistent prophylactic treatment option for refractory migraine.

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Published

2016-02-14

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Original Research Articles